Mt. Hood National Forest

Recreational Activities

Link to Current Conditions

The Forest offers a variety of recreational activities. Many Forest visitors have the equipment, know how to use it, and are ready to enjoy the National Forest on their own. Others prefer to recreate in the Forest utilizing the services and equipment furnished by recreation service partners. The Forest Service relies heavily on service partnerships to offer many recreation experiences such as skiing, hiking, boating, rafting, climbing, backpacking horseback riding, fishing, and more. Recreation service partnerships combine Forest Service and private sector experience and resources to produce quality recreation for the public and heightened economic activity in local communities.

The National Forest are public lands in joint ownership by all citizens; their management requires different laws and regulations based on local conditions. Please become familiar with restrictions by checking with local offices and reading signs and bulletin boards.

Newly Designated Wilderness Areas

Congress recently designated over 124,000 acres of new Wilderness as well as classified 81 miles of Scenic River in the Mt. Hood National Forest, expanding five existing Wilderness areas and establishing three new areas. For maps outlining these areas, click here. As outlined by the Wilderness Act, there are certain activities that will now be prohibited in the newly designated areas. Such activities as using motorized vehicles or equipment, mountain biking, and harvesting any materials from the forest itself such as firewood, floral supplies, or Christmas trees will no longer be allowed within these areas.

While we realize that these new designations may restrict some of the recreational options visitors are accustomed to, there will still be plenty of great opportunities to recreate in all other areas not designated as Wilderness. Ask your local ranger district for a listing of recreational opportunities in the Mt. Hood National Forest. Some of the existing trails in the newly designated Wilderness areas will remain open to hikers and backpackers. By following these guidelines,   we can all ensure that the National Forest can continue to provide the multitude of great outdoor activities you have come to enjoy while also preserving Wilderness for this and future generations.

Camping and Picnicking

The Forest has many developed campgrounds and picnic areas. To avoid crowds, visit midweek if possible. Many recreation sites are being improved for barrier-free access. Campgrounds are available by reservation or on a first-come, first-served basis. Please call a Forest Service office for more information.

Camping outside campgrounds is permitted in many parts of the Mt. Hood National Forest. Camping is permitted for 14 consecutive days and up to 28 days on the Forest in a calendar year. Some area are closed to camping or entry to protect the watershed or wildlife habitat. If you are uncertain whether an area is open, please contact a Forest Service office.

Trail Courtesy and Safety

Roughly 1,000 miles of riding and hiking trails in Mt. Hood National Forest offer a variety of challenges and opportunities for hikers, horseback rides, mountain bikers, and off-highway vehicle (OHV) enthusiasts. The following guidelines help protect the forest and make everyone's visit more enjoyable.

• All Users
  Observe rules and regulations, stay on designated trails, be alert and courteous, minimize your impact, and avoid muddy areas.
  
  
• Bicyclists & OHV Drivers
  Ride only on trails designated for this use, maintain control of speed, slow down and use caution when approaching or overtaking others, make your presence known well in advance and always yield trail to hikers and equestrians.
  
  
• Equestrians
  Control your horse, avoid cross-country riding, and avoid tying stock to trees for prolonged periods.
  
  
• Hikers
  Yield trail to equestrians, allow equestrians and bicyclists to pass, and resist the urge to cut switchbacks.

Drinking the Water

Only water from developed systems at recreation sites is maintained safe to drink. Open water sources are easily contaminated by human waste. Water from springs, lakes, ponds, and streams should not be drunk without proper treatment,. A recommended method of treatment is to bring clear water a rolling boil for 5 minutes.

Campfires and Fire Safety

Stay with your campfire at all times. Put out campfires by drowning them with water, stirring them with dirt, and drowning again. Ashes should be cool to the touch. Have a shovel and and axe available to control or extinguish escaped fire.

Please do not smoke while walking through the Forest. Smokers should stop, clear a space to mineral soil, and smoke in the cleared area. Matches and cigarettes should be crushed and carried out of the Forest.

When fire danger is extreme, activities in the Forest may be restricted or curtailed. Contact a Forest Service office to find out about current fire precautions and restrictions.

Forest Products

The Mt. Hood National Forest provides a variety of natural resource products, while maintaining health, diverse and productive forest ecosystems. In addition to the harvest of trees that provide lumber and other wood products, many other products are harvested, such as cones, evergreen boughs, transplants, Christmas trees, mushrooms, bear grass, salal, edible berries, firewood, and common minerals (rock).

The harvest of forest products usually requires a permit for both personal and commercial uses. Permits allow the Forest Service to monitor the demand and use of various products to ensure that areas are not overused. Please check with you local Forest Service office for the permits you will need before removing anything from the Mt. Hood National Forest.

US Forest Service - Mt. Hood National Forest
Last Modified: Tuesday, 01 September 2009 at 15:43:00 EDT